A. F. Priest
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| A. F. Priest | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Pioneer librarian; CPR employee |
A. F. Priest was a Canadian Pacific Railway employee and one of the founding figures of the Fort William Public Library.
Library movement
- Recognized by historian M. J. L. Black as one of the key figures in establishing the Fort William public library system, described as "the able first mate" to R. Bowman, who initiated the movement.[1]
- When the CPR employees opened their literary room and library at the Round House at West Fort William on 18 August 1885, the officiating librarian Freeman of the Winnipeg CPR library singled out Priest's work for particular appreciation in his address.[1]
- Designed an "ingenious invention" installed in the bath rooms of the facility that supplied hot, cold, and lukewarm water.[1]
- Appointed Treasurer on the first committee of the library, alongside McMurtrie as Secretary, and members O'Hagan, Adams, Doctor Lewis, and Nelson.[1]
- Credited in closing remarks by Black as one to whom the public is "especially indebted," having "given generously of his time and energy" to the library cause.[1]